Monday, October 24, 2011

Every year we host a Holiday Party at our home for my husbands staff. We skipped last year - having just moved, I was in no way ready to host a small intimate dinner gathering for....30!

Here we are - a year later - and I'm still not ready, but we're doing it anyway.

It's usually closer to Christmas - but we're doing it a little earlier this year, to try and avoid all the crazy hectic feelings that come with working in Retail at Christmas Time.

Cranky Retail Managers do not always make great party guests.

Step One - send out the invites:

I had so much fun making the paper folded "flowers". I'll be using burlap as the table toppers, so I wanted to incorporate some of that in the invitations as well.

Buttons - Buttons - you can't forget the buttons.

I'd love to say that's my handwriting - but it's rub on.

The inside deets - we're calling it a Harvest Celebration....doesn't that sound fun?

Because the invites are so bulky - I wrapped them in bubble wrap and used an extra large envelope. A few little outside embellishments, and that plain manilla envelope is plain - no more.

There is even this sweet little owl peeking out from the back.

All packaged up and in the mail.

I made a few extra (since I wasn't exactly sure of the guest count at first) and they are available in the shop - in case you are interested. I left off the "you're invited" sentiment - so they can be used for anything as a blank card.

We've been busy putting up Fall decorations and now that the weather has finally cooled down a bit - I'm getting in the Harvest Celebration mood.

We made this one completely last minute from things in my stash. I think it took a total of 5 Letter Size Sheets of Solid scrapbook paper, and a few scraps to make TWO of these adorable cuties.

This one is my favorite (it's an Owl in case you can't tell). We rifled through the basket of punches to find shapes we could use to make the details. The feathers are made with a decorative picture corner punch, and the feet are cut from a small scalloped circle.

I cut all the wedge shaped pieces (you can get 3 from each sheet), but Little K did almost all of the decorating herself.

Frankie is Little K's favorite. I had to explain that the things coming out the side were supposed to be Bolts - not Arms. She kept wanting to put them lower. (I wonder if Bride of Frankenstein is appropriate for a 10 year old to watch).

As usual - when they were all done - we both said "why didn't we make one for ourselves?"

Everything is now safely tucked inside our BOO bags.

All tied up with strips of colorful Halloween fabrics.

Tonight's the night. No after school activities today. Hopefully not too much homework. We're going BOOing.

Maybe the Jack O Lantern Jingle Bell was not the best thing to include - if we're trying to be stealth.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Several years ago I joined a flickr group that challenged me to find something to be Thankful for - and take a photo - each of the 30 days of November.

I consider myself pretty lucky - I have a great life - not much to complain about. But it's sooo easy to get bogged down by the every day things - and get just a little Cranky. Especially during the busy holiday season.

I love this challenge because it's like a slap in the face for me. Time to take stock in All the wonderful things I have in my life.

Here is a recap of my 30 Days of Gratitude for the past years:(click on the links below to see more about each of the photos)